Apparatus for sealing containers



NW? 23, H E STQVER 2,363,7Q4

APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 16, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 2

IN VENTOR. Harry E. Sfoven WJIMZ7M ATTORNEYS NGVO 28, 1944, H, g; 5TQVER 2,3(53JQ41- APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 16, 1945 s Sheets$heet 2 Fig. 3

! 11/101, full/n INVENTOR. Harry E. si'oven ATTOPNE Y5 Nov. 28, 1944;

H. E. STOVER APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 16, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Harry E Sfover:

A TTOPNEYS' Patented Nov. 28, "1944 2,363,704 APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Harry E. Stover, Connellsville, Pa., assignor to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Connellsville, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application February 16, 1943, Serial No. 476,065

11 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for sealing containers. It has to do, more particularly, with an apparatus for applying closures to containers such as food containers and including jars, bottles, cans, et cetera, and sealing them on the containers.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Serial No. 418,401, filed November 8, 1941, which has matured into Patent No. 2,346,118, patented April 4, 1944.

In said application Serial No. 418,401, I disclose a sealing machine including a sealing unit which is actuated whenever a container, with a cap loosely positioned thereon, is moved into association with 'the sealing unit in sealing position. The actuating means for the sealing unit includes fluid-actuated mechanism which is controlled by means of a main control valve that is actuated each time a container with a cap thereon is moved into sealing position.

One of the objects of my present invention is to provide controlling means for a sealing unit of the type indicated which is more positive and efficient in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide controlling means for a sealing unit of the type indicated which is of simple structure.

Another object of my invention is to provide controlling means for a sealing unit of the type indicated which requires very little adjustment and which is easy to maintain in proper working order.

Another object of my invention is to provide controlling means for a sealing unit of the type indicated which is of such a nature that it cannot be jammed by a container and, therefore, there is no danger of the parts thereof being bent or broken.

Another object of my invention is to provide a magnetic means for lifting the cap from the container after it has been loosely applied at the cap- ;eedding position and before it reaches the sealing My invention is embodied in a simple apparatus for applying closures to and sealing them on various containers such as jars. bottles, cans, et cetera. The general structure of the apparatus is substantially the same as that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 418,401. This apparatus is in the form of a very compact structure which may be associated with any suitable type of conveyer unit, which is adapted to bring the containers into association therewith. The apparatus is preferably disposed in superimposed relationship to a continuously moving ing and maintaining the containers centered on this conveyer. My invention also embodies a means for lifting the cap from the container as the container is moved from the cap-applying unit to the cap-sealing unit.

The apparatus may include a cap-feeding and applying unit, where .caps or other closures are loosely positioned on the upper ends of the containers moved into association therewith by the conveyer. Directly. adjacent the cap-feedin and applying unit, a sealing head is provided. The conveyer moves the containers, with caps loosely applied thereto, into association with this sealing head. The sealing head is spaced slightly above the upper ends of the containers and fluidactuated means is associated therewith for forcing it downwardly whenever a container, having a cap properlyv associated therewith, moves beneath the sealing head. A very simple, positive and effective control arrangement is provided for starting operation of the sealing head at the proper instant.

The control arrangement includes a main control valve for controlling the supply of fluid to the fluid-actuated means which moves the sealing head. The control valve is actuated by means of a trigger. This trigger is engaged by a cap on a container when the container is moved into sealing position beneath the sealing head. The trigger is yieldingly mounted for upward movement to eliminate any danger of bending or breaking of the trigger.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the machine illustrating the sealing head unit and its operating mechanism and showing the control valve in normal position.

Figure 3a is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 30-311 of Figure 3.

Figure 4 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of the machine, showing the control valve in operative position, and

Figure 4a is a detail in perspective of the pivot structure provided for the operating trigger.

With reference to the drawings, I have illustrated a machine of the general type disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 418,401. It comprises generally a conveyer unit I, a capfeeding and applying unit 2 and a sealing head unit 3. The conveyer unit preferably embodies means for continuously moving the containers 6 on its upper end. This cap preferably embodies a substantially disk-like portion 6 which has a depending annular skirt 1 which carries an annular gasket 8-therewithin. When the cap asea'zoc thereof. The upper end of the plunger 21 carries a roller 62 which projects beyond the exadapted to be reciprocated and is of the particuis forceddownwardly onto the upper end of the container, the frictional contact of the gasket with the upper end of the container will aid in maintaining the cap in position and will seal the cap on the container.

As described in said co-pending application, the containers 4 are-placed at random on the conveyor and are moved in the direction of the arrows (Figures 1 to 4) by the conveyer. containers are centered thereon and are first carried to the cap-feeding and applying unit -2. This loosely to, the upper end of thecontainer. After the container passes the unit 2, it passes to' the is supported at a point spaced above the conveyer unit I by means of a plurality of vertically disposed posts In. As described in my co-pending application, the casting 9 may be adjusted vertically on the posts ill to vary the height of i the units 2 and 3 above the conveyer 1 for different heights of containers.

As described in' my co- 'pending application,

the sealinghead unit 3 comprises a verticallydisposed cylindrical housing portion 23, which has a base portion 24 that is bolted to the upper surface of the-casting 9. Beneath the base portion 24 (Figure 3), the casting 9 is provided with a large opening 25, in order to permit vertical movement of the sealing head 26. This sealing head embodies a substantially cylindrical portion of non-magnetic metal which is carried The ' unit is of such: a type that it will apply a cap on the lower end of a plunger 21 which fits tight- I 1y within housing 23 for vertical reciprocation plunger 49 is mounted for slidable vertical movement. A spring 42 is associated with plunger 40 and normally forces it downwardly. As described in my co-pending application, the position of the plunger relative to housing 23 may be adjusted by means of rotation of collar 46 on the threaded upper portion thereof. Also, the downward force exerted. by spring 42 may be varied by rotating, sleeve 39 in collar 38. 7

It will be apparent that the plungers 40 and 21 are disposed in axial alignment. It will also be apparent that the lower end of the plunger 40 is spaced above the upper end of plunger 21.

5 The lower end of plunger 40 carries-a roller 50 lar shape shown.

The wedge member 49 is formed on the outer end of a piston rod 66. The wedge member 43 is normally in the position indicated in Figure 3. Below the outer end of the wedge member I pro.- vide a bumper or cushioning member 51 as described in my copending application.

The actuating mechanism for the sealing head 26 is normally in the position'illustrated in Figure 3. The plunger 40 will be held in its lowermost position by the spring 42. The plunger 21 will be held in its uppermost position bythe spring 31. The wedge member 49 will be in the position illustrated in this figure. It will be apparent that if thepiston rod 56 is moved tothe right (Figure 3), the wedge member 49 will exert a wedging action between the rollers 63' and 52. The spring 42 will be of such strength that normally it will not be compressed by this wedging action. will be forced downwardly against the action of the spring 31 and, therefore, will force the sealing head 26 downwardly. Movement of wedge member 49'to the right will cause its outer end 53 to swing downwardly asthe sealing head and plunger 21 are forced downwardly. When the member 49 reaches the end of its stroke in this direction, the outer end 53 of member 49 will contact with and will be cushioned by the bumper 51.

As soon as the piston rod 56 moves to the left, the spring 31 will return member 26 to its uppermost position. The spring-pressed plunger 40 is provided to limit the downward force exerted on the plunger 21 to a predetermined maximum, so as to prevent'injury to the container being sealed. This predetermined maximum may be varied as previously indicated. Adjusting the plunger unit 40 vertically by means of the member 46, as previously described; will vary the extent of the downwardmovement of the plunger 21 and, consequently, of the member 26. v

For controlling movement of the piston rod 56, I provide a, fluid-operated cylinder and piston unit 59. This unit 59 includes a housing 59a which has a large cylinder bore 60 formed in its upper portion and a small cylinder bore 6| formed in its lower portion. The bores 60 and 6| are horizontally disposed and are parallel with each other. The housing 59a is mounted on the upper surface of the casting 9 directly adjacent the housing 23. It is provided with a flattened lower surface which rests on the upper surface of casting 9. The general structure of unit 59 is similar to that described in,my co-pending application. e

The bore 60 has a hollow piston 69 slidably mounted therein. The inner end of the piston rod 56 (Figure 3) is pivotally connected to piston 69 in the manner described in Serial No. 418,401. Also, as described in said application a cushioning or buffer structure, indicated generally by numeral 56g is provided for stopping Consequently the plunger 21 rod 58 passes inwardly throughthis opening into the interior of the bore -80., The opening 14 is larger than the piston rod 58 so as to permit limited movement of the piston rod therein. A

compression spring 11 is disposed within the bore move the wedge 49 to the right.

I preferably employ steam as the fluid for moving the piston 59 from the position indicated in Figure 4. The housing 59a has a steam jacket 80 formed in the wall thereof and extending completely around the housing. This jacket is suitably connected to a steam line 8I. This jacket serves to prevent or decrease condensation of the steam within the housing 59a. The jacket also serves as a source of supply for operating the sealing mechanism, as -.wlll later appear.

The bore 6i has a piston type valve 82 mounted for axial movement therein, as shown best in Figures 3 and 4. This piston valve 82 is adapted to control the supply of steam to and exhaust of steam from the cylinder bore 80. It is mounted for axial movement within a sleeve BIa which is mounted in bore SI. The piston valve 82 is provided with axially spaced annular chambers 83 and 84. At one of its ends the piston valve 82 is provided with a' projecting portion 85.

The top surface of the sleeve Iila is provided with a longitudinally extending groove or recess 88. Intermediate the ends of this recess at longitudinally spaced points slots 83a and 84a are formed which communicate with the interior of the sleeve. The left-hand end of groove 85 is closed but the right-hand end communicates with a substantially semi-circular groove 81 extending around the outer surface of the sleeve. This groove 81. is provided with a pair of slots 88 at the sides of the sleeve which communicate with the interior thereof. Also formed at each side of sleeve IiIa is a flattened portion which provides a chamber 89 that connects two longitudinally spaced segmental slots 90. The slots 90 extend through the wall of the sleeve. The groove 86 in the top of the sleeve communicates with a longitudinal passage 9I formed in the wall of bore 50. This passage 9| communicates at one end with an opening 92 which leads into the left hand end of bore 60. Each of the chambers 89.

at the sides of the sleeve 5Ia is connected by an opening 93 to the steam chamber 80.

In order to normally maintain valve piston 82 in the position indicated in Figure 3, I provide a compression spring 94 (Figures 3 and 4). This spring 94 is disposed in surrounding relationship to a pin 95 which is threaded into .the end of valve piston 82. This pin 95 extends outwardly through a cap 95, on the end of bore 6i, into a tubular housing 91. The cap 96 and housing 91 are bolted to housing 59a by bolts 98. The inner end of spring 94 bears against cap 95 and fits in a socket 95a formed therein. The outer end of spring 94 surrounds a tubular portion formed on an adjusting nut 99. The nut 99 is threaded on the outer end of pin 95. It will be apparent that spring 94 will keep member 82 to the left.

The resistance exerted by this spring to movement to the right may be varied by adjusting nut 99 on pin 95.

The piston valve 82 is adapted to be moved mechanically to the right. For accomplishing this movement, I provide a pivoted lever H5 which is pivoted for movement in a vertical plane. The extension 85 on the right-hand end of member 821s pivotally connected to a link I00. This link I extends through a vertical slot IOI formed in a cap I02 bolted to housing 59a. The outer end of link I00 is pivotally connected to the upper end of an inclined portion I03 of lever H5. The lower portion of the lever H5 is straight and a finger I32 is formed at the extreme lower end thereof. The lower portion of lever III is disposed in a vertical slot I3I formed in the sealing head 25; The lever H5 is pivoted, at the point where its straight lower portion connects to the inclined upper portion I03, as indicated generally by numeral II1. This permits vertical swinging movement of lever H5.

The pivot structure H1 is illustrated best in Figure 4a. As shown, the lever H5 is disposed in a slot I04 formed in a block I05. The block I05 is bolted to a horizontal extension I06 pro- Jecting from the lower edge of cap I02. At each side of slot I04 the block I05 is provided with a cradle I01 which are in alignment with each other. The cradles I01 receive the oppositely extending portions I08 of a pivot pin carried by the lever H5. For holding the portions I08 of the pivot pin in cradles I01, I provide a leaf-spring I09 which has its inner end fastened by screws IIO to the upper surface of member I 05, The outer end of the horizontally disposed leaf spring I09 is provided with a slot II I, aligning with slot I04, and on each side of this slot the spring carries a rivet H2. The rivets II2 are disposed above portions I08 of the pivot pin and keep these portions in the cradles I01. However, upward yielding movement of the pivot pin portions I08 in cradles I 01, against the force of spring I89, will be permitted when necessary. Thus, lever I I5 is pivotally carried by an upwardly yieldable pivot structure.

With the piston 82 in the position indicated in Figure 3, steam will exhaust from the left-hand end of the cylinder bore 60, through opening 92, passage 9|, groove 88, groove 81, exhaust slots 88 and finally out through slot MI. The piston 82, when in the position indicated in Figure 3, will cover the inlet openings 90. Consequently, steam will not be supplied to the cylinder bore 60.

When piston 82 is moved to the right, as shown in Figure 4, by movement of lever II5 by means of i a cap engaging the lower end thereof in a manner to be described, the steam inlets are exposed allowing steam to enter annular chambers 83 and 84 and the exhaust slots 88 are covered by the piston. Steam from chambers 83 and 84 will flow through'openings 83a and 84a, into groove 86, passage 9|, and through opening 92 into the left-hand end of bore 80. This will move piston 89 to the right and actuate the sealing unit. As soon as lever H5 is released, the spring 94 will return valve piston 82 to the original position shown in'Figure 4. This will permit exhaust of steam from the left-hand end of bore 68 and permit spring 11 to return the piston 69 to its original position.

When the conveyer moves a container beneath the cap-feeding unit 2, a cap will be applied loosely to the upper end of the container. The cap and container will be moved along until they pass beneath the sealing head 26. As described in my co-pending application, it is desirable to provide means to lift the cap from the container before it reaches the sealing head 28 to be sure that-the cap does not stick on the container. I provide a longitudinally extending plate I55 which is supported beneath plate 9 and extends from the cap-feeding unit 2 to the sealing head 26 (Figure 2). This plate I66 (Figures 3 and 3a) has a plurality of magnets I66 of cylindrical form disposed in horizontal sockets I6Ia extending from one side edge of theJplatel I66 to the other and being open at both ends. A strip [65b is secured to each edge of plate I65 for the purpose of retaining the magnets I66 in their sockets. The strips I65b have their lower edges flush with the lower surface of plate I65. The sealing head 26 also has means associated therewith for lifting the cap slightly from the container. This means comprises a plurality of small magnets I'll (Figure 3) which are arranged in circumferentialiy spaced relationship. The head 26 and plate I65 are of non-magnetic material. The strips I65b are of magnetic material These strips I65b will be magnetized, by magnetic flux flowing from the ends of magnets I66 into the strips, and will serve to lift the caps. This mag-.

net structure will lift each-cap from the container as the container is moved therebeneath toward the sealing head 26.

As the container with the cap thereon moves beneath the sealing head 26, the forward edge of the cap will first be lifted by a magnet I14.

ture. It requires very little adJustment and is easy to maintain in proper working order. Furthermore, it is of such a nature that it cannot be jammed by a container.

Various other advantages will be. apparent from the preceding description, the drawings and the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Apparatus of the type described comprising a support for a container which has a cap positioned loosely on the upper end thereof, a sealing head disposed above the support, means for moving said container and the sealing head relative to each other to seal the cap on the container, a control unit for controlling said moving means, said control unit including means for lifting the cap from the container substantially Continued movement of the container will cause the magnets to act on the cap to hold it up against the lower surface of the member 26. Even with the cap in firm contact with the member 26, the skirt of the cap will still surround the upper end of the container so that it will be moved along with the container. However, the cap will be spaced sufficiently from the upper end of the container to permit steam to be injected therein in the manner described in my co-pending case. When-the cap moves into contact with the finger I32 of lever H5, the operation of the sealing head will be initiated.

The cap, when it engages finger I32, swings lever H5 about pivot III. This draws the valve 82 to the right, as previously described, and operates the cylinder and piston unit 59, which, in turn, moves sealing head 26 downwardly. As the sealing head moves downwardly, it forces the cap 5 downwardly on the container into sealed position. This will move the cap out of contact with the finger I32 of the lever II5, permitting the spring 94 to return the valve piston 82 and lever H5 to their initial positions shown in Figure 3. Because of the straight lower portion of thetrigger lever II5, the finger I32 will tend to swing up out of the path of the cap as it is moved by the cap about its pivot. Thus, after the scaling unit is actuated by engagement of the cap with the container, the trigger will be quickly moved out of contact with the cap by upward swinging of the lower end of the trigger and downward movement of the cap caused by downward movement of sealing head 26. The pivot point I ll of the trigger lever II5 willyield upwardly when necessary to prevent jamming and, consequently, bending or breaking of the trigger. The are in which the trigger finger I32 moves is such that at its highest point, cap 5 may really pass therebeneath without either bending it or jamming. This is another safety measure in case the sealing head 26 does not descend to into contact with said sealing head, a trigger for initiating movement of said moving means which is so disposed that it will be engaged by the cap while the cap is so lifted, and upwardly yleldable means for supporting said trigger.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a pivot structure is provided for supporting said trigger for movement in. a vertical plane, saidpivot structure including a pivot pin, a cradle for the pivot pin, and upwardly yieldable resilient means for holding said pivot pin in said cradle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a pivot structure is provided for supporting said trigger for movement in a vertical plane, said pivot structure including a pivot pin, a horizontall disposed support having a slot in which the trigger is disposed, pivot cradles in said support at opposite sides of the slot for receiving said pivot pin, a leaf spring superimposed on said support and having a slot in alignment with said first-named slot, and means .carried by said spring for engaging the pivot pin to yieldingly hold it in the cradles.

4. Apparatus of the type described comprising a conveyer for supporting a container, means for loosely applying a cap to the upper end of the container a sealing head disposed above the conveyer, fluid-actuated means for moving the container and the sealing head relative to each other to seal the cap on the container, a control unit for controlling said moving means, said control unit including a single control valve, magnetic means for lifting the cap from the container substantially into contact with said sealing head, a trigger for actuating said valve which is so disposed that it will be engaged by the cap while the cap is so lifted, and upwardly yieldable means for. supporting said trigger.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a pivot structure is provided for supporting said trigger for movement in a vertical plane, said pivot structure including a pivot pin, cradle for the pivot pin, and upwardly yieldable resilient means for holding said pivot pin in said cradle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a.

pivot structure is provided for supporting said trigger for movement in a vertical plane, said pivot structure including a pivot pin, a horizontally disposed support having a slot in which the trigger is disposed, pivot cradles in said support at opposite sides of the slot for receiving said,

pivot pin, a leaf spring superimposed on said support and having a slot in alignment with said first-named slot, and means carried by said spring for engaging the pivot pin to yieldingly hold it in the cradles.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a aseavoc 5 spring is provided for resisting movement or said valve into actuating position, said spring being adjustable.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said valve includes a reciprocable piston, said mechanical connection being at one end of said piston, an extension on the other end of said piston, said extension having a compression spring associated therewith for resisting movement of said valve into actuating position, and means 10 for adjusting the force exerted by said spring.

9. Apparatus for sealing containers comprising a conveyer, a cap-applying unit and a capsealing unit disposed at longitudinally spaced positions of the conveyer, means disposed between said units for lifting caps from the containers as they are moved from the cap-applying unit to the sealing unit, said means comprising a longitudinally extending magnetic bar disposed above the path of travel of the caps carried by the containers and closely, adjacent thereto.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the bar is in the form of a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced strips.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said lifting means comprises a bar of non-magnetic material having transverse sockets formed therein with both ends open, and strips of magnetic material secured to each edge of said bar over the ends of said openings for retaining said 15 magnets in position.

HARRY E. STOVER. 

